Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
If you have multiple cats and there’s tension between two or more of them, then that tension may be carried over into the litter box. When a cat is taking care of personal business in the box is sometimes the ideal time for an opponent to stage an ambush. It’s especially convenient for the one doing the ambushing if the box is covered or wedged in a corner. The lack of escape potential makes the cat in the box a sitting target.
Develop a Plan for Your Cats
If you suspect that litter box ambushes are taking place here are four tips to help stop the unwanted behavior:
#1 Create a litter box set-up that allows the cat in the box to have maximum visual warning time. Place the box opposite to the door of the room. If your cat can see who’s entering the room and still have time to make a hasty escape, that will increase a sense of security.
#2 Create maximum escape potential with an uncovered litter box. A covered box limits the cat’s visual warning time and also allows only one entrance and exit. When your cat is in the middle of elimination duties isn’t the time to be surprised. An uncovered box lets the cat escape in whatever direction is safest.
#3 Set up multiple litter boxes in various rooms in the house. In a multicat household the rule of thumb is to have the same number of boxes as you have cats plus one extra. In addition to having the right number of boxes, their location is crucial as well. You don’t want boxes all lined up in one room because one cat may be guarding that room and making it difficult for another cat to pass through in order to reach the box. Spread the boxes out so one cat doesn’t have to come into another cat’s area when it’s time to eliminate. When deciding where to locate the various boxes, consider each cat’s personal area so you can place boxes in the rooms where individual cats feel most comfortable.
#4 Work on improving the relationships between the cats. Sometimes an ambush is done innocently out of play because one cat hears another cat digging in the box and it sparks curiosity. In many other cases though, it’s based on the tension between the cats and that’s where you need to work on helping them find peace with each other. This step involves making sure there are adequate resources throughout the house so no one has to compete. The indoor environment may need some tweaking to provide more vertical territory, hiding places and safe zones. Next, help the cats find reasons to like each other by offering treats in the presence of each other and doing some playtime to help distract them. If you need more specific guidance in figuring out why your cats may not be getting along, here are a couple of articles with more info:
Why Your Cats may not be Getting Along
Your Cat’s Personal Space: Why it Matters
Need More Information?
For more specific information on cat behavior and training in a multicat household, check out the revised and updated edition of Cat vs Cat, Pam’s best-selling book on keeping peace when you have more than one cat. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We also have included Amazon links here on our website.
If you have a question regarding your cat’s health, please contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a replacement for your cat’s veterinary care.
